Born: August 8, 1907 Place of Birth: New York City, NY Death: July 12, 2003 Known for: composer, leader, alto & tenor sax, trumpet, clarinet Birth Name: Bennet Lester Carter
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Benny Carter, also known as Bennett Lester Carter, was born in New York City, New York on August 8, 1907 and began taking piano lessons from his mother when he was 10 years old and later switched to private lessons about a year. Fascinated by the trumpet, he tried to master it, but became very frustrated and turned to the saxophone. (1) Carter was fortunate to work with Duke Ellington in the 1920’s, and in 1928 he managed to join the Charlie Johnson orchestra where he made his recording and arranging debut. (2) He now started becoming more involved with arranging music along with composing, playing, and forming his own band. Over the years, Carter was involved with various bands and became a huge success in Europe. He returned to the United
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States and re-formed a big band nearly missed the swing era. (1)
Late in 1941, Dizzy Gillespie was in a sextet with Carter prior to the formation of his band in California, which had several other famous musicians, such as Al Grey, Miles Davis, and Buddy Rich. (3) As Hollywood was expanding, Carter left the band in 1946 to pursue writing soundtracks, and this continued throughout his lifetime along with performances in bands with his alto-saxophone and trumpet. He was nominated for a Grammy award for his Ray Charles arrangement of Busted, recorded live abroad many times, and began lecturing at
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colleges. He is considered one of the great contributors of Jazz and has also made tremendous contributions to film and television. (2) As an arranger, “When the Lights are Low” and “Blues in my Heart” are two compositions that helped pave the way for big band jazz.
He has been successful in all areas receiving many honors and awards, including his star which may be found on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Carter died at age 95 in a hospital in Los Angeles after shaping eight decades of jazz. (1)
Benny Carter
Born: August 8, 1907
Place of Birth: New York City, NY
Death: July 12, 2003
Known for: composer, leader, alto & tenor sax, trumpet, clarinet
Birth Name: Bennet Lester Carter
Late in 1941, Dizzy Gillespie was in a sextet with Carter prior to the formation of his band in California, which had several other famous musicians, such as Al Grey, Miles Davis, and Buddy Rich. (3) As Hollywood was expanding, Carter left the band in 1946 to pursue writing soundtracks, and this continued throughout his lifetime along with performances in bands with his alto-saxophone and trumpet. He was nominated for a Grammy award for his Ray Charles arrangement of Busted, recorded live abroad many times, and began lecturing at
He has been successful in all areas receiving many honors and awards, including his star which may be found on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Carter died at age 95 in a hospital in Los Angeles after shaping eight decades of jazz. (1)
Works Consulted
1. "Benny Carter." Riverwalk Jazz. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://www.riverwalkjazz.org/site/PageServer?pagename=profiles_bennycarter>.
2. "Benny Carter." Swing Music. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://www.swingmusic.net/Benny_Carter.html>.
3. "Benny Carter." Benny Carter. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://www.bennycarter.com/>.
4. Youtube. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://www.riverwalkjazz.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home_template>.